Improved stuffing for matresses, pillows



UNrrnn STATES ATENr Orrien.

A. O. ORONDAL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVED STUFFING FOR MATRESSES, PILLOWS, &o.

Specification forming part of Letters PatentNo. @0,024, dated September 22, 1863.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, A. C. CRONDAL, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Cork Stufling for Mattresses, Pillows, &c. 5 and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompany drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure l represents a plan or top view of a mattress stutted with cork, according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same, the line x x, Fig. 1, indicating the plan of section.

Similar letters of reference in both views indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to a certain process for preparing cork, rubbish, or waste, and to the use of the cork thus prepared for stufliu g mattresses, pillows, Sto.

To enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to de scribe it.

In the ordinary method ot' applying cork for stuffing mattresses, pillows, &c., said cork is used in the form ot' cuttings and shavings, from which the hard and unelastic particles are not removed, and the result is a hard and uncomfortable article, not lit to be used, except when rendered somewhat elastic by air-spaces or other means. n

vAccording to my process the rubbish or waste of cork is used, and the same as it comes from the manufactory is first assorted, accord ing to the size of the pieces. The large pieces are passed through a Bogardus mill, producing granules about the size of a large pea, and the small pieces of the rubbish or waste are ground with French burrstones, and reduced to granules somewhat tiner than the former. By the action of the mill or burr stones all hardness is removed and the full elasticity of the cork is developed.

The granules thus obtained are cleaned from dust and separated by means ot' sieves of different tineness, and rubbed off with oil to increase its softness and enable it to be compressed with greater ease in upholstering. The oil is applied to the cork by rubbing the cork between the palms of the hands, the latter having first been covered with linseed or lard oil, either pure or mixed with turpentine or alcohol. The oil enters the pores, softens the cork, and increases the elasticity thereof. Only a very small quantity of oil is necessary.

Inustuftin g a mattress, A, with the granules thus prepared, I divide the same off into squares a of equal size, and introduce the cork loosely, pressing it firmly.

For mattresses and similar articlessuch as the seats and backs of sofas, chairs, &c.-I use the coarse granules, and the tine granules I apply for stutling pillows and all classes of soft cushions.

By these means I have succeeded to render the use of cork practicable for stufting mattresses, &c., cork being without doubt the healthiest material for upholstering, because it does not attract or absorb moisture, it does not suiier vermin, and it is cool and elastic. A mattress stuffed with cork, according to my method, therefore is of the greatest advantage for patients in hospitals and ambulances, and for sick persons in general, and there is no danger of the destruction of the cellular texture of the skin or mortification usually arising from the secretions passing into the mattress and rendering the same moist, hard, and uneven. The cork prepared according to my invention remains dry and even, and patients lying on one of my mattresses have never to be moved out of bed.

By reason gf its lightness, cheapness, and portability my mattress is also of great advantage on board of vessels, and in this case it may serve at the same time as a life-preserver.

The cork-stuffing is also of advantage for seats ot writing-desks and cushions of any description whatever. It forms a cool, conit'ortable, and elastic seat, and it preserves its elasticity for any length of time; and last, not least, the cork stufli ng is by far the cheap` est stufing ever used in the present state of the market. It will not cost more than onetenth ot' horse-hair and about half as much as sea-grass, corn husks, or other cheap and disagreeable substitutes for hair.

I do not claim, broadly, .the use of cork as a stuffing for cushions, mattresses, Src.; but,

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, as an improved article of manufacture- A stufng for mattresses, cushions, &c., composed ot' ground cork and oil, made as herein shown and described.

A. COURL: ORONDAL.

Witnesses Trios. S. J. DOUGLAS, WM. REETH. 

